Fewer than 10% of people that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy have access to them, warns the WHO as it releases its initial advice on the medications.
Given over a billion people worldwide now obese, it is calling for broader and more equitable access to these injectable treatments.
Based on projections, over two billion will be living with obesity by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our latest guidance acknowledges that excess weight is a long-term condition that can be treated with holistic and continuous support," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Significant expense, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are significant barriers to universal availability to the injections that can help people shift significant weight, says the agency.
Skinny Jab Scarcity
Even under the present most favorable outlook, the production of such drugs could only cover about 100 million people – less than 10% of eligible patients, as stated by the WHO.
The guideline encourages countries and companies to expand availability, through approaches like patent sharing.
The intellectual property rights on semaglutide – the primary ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is set to lapse in multiple countries in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Drugs Work
GLP-1 drugs replicate a biological compound to slow digestion, reduce hunger and boost satiety so people consume fewer calories.
People typically begin shedding pounds after several weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Research indicates users may regain a significant portion after a year of discontinuing the treatment, as their usual food cravings resume.
To be carrying excess weight elevates your likelihood for contracting diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and specific cancers.
Obesity impacts individuals in all nations and was associated with millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
